The goal of my research is to identify neuronal correlates of somatosensory processing by means of non-invasive neuroimaging, mainly focussing on the functional role of background oscillatory activity (Nierhaus et al., 2009). Investigating the processing of imperceptible stimuli with EEG and resting-state fMRI revealed a modulatory role of the alpha rhythm for the access to a functional connectivity network subserving conscious experience (Nierhaus et al., 2015, J Neurosci). These neuronal correlates of imperceptible stimulus processing are now further investigated concerning attentional modulation (Forschacket al., 2017, J Neurosci), the effect of imperceptible stimulation patterns (regular vs. unregular) and their interaction with the processing of conscious stimuli (MPI Project Fivos Iliopoulos).

Another line of research deals with the effect of acupuncture (as complex somatosensory stimulation) on background oscillatory activity. In a first study we were able to show a point-specific effect of acupuncture stimulation on the central alpha rhythm (EEG) and fMRI based functional connectivity (Nierhaus et al. 2015, Frontiers). Different stimulation sites and protocols will be studied for further investigation of these effects.